Bishop Scranton has released a pastoral letter on the obligation of Catholics to defend the right to life. The full text can be found at Whispers, but here is the nut:
Another argument goes like this: "As wrong as abortion is, I don't think it is the only relevant 'life' issue that should be considered when deciding for whom to vote." This reasoning is sound only if other issues carry the same moral weight as abortion does, such as in the case of euthanasia and destruction of embryos for research purposes. Health care, education, economic security, immigration, and taxes are very important concerns. neglect of any one of them has dire consequences as the recent financial crisis demonstrates. However, the solutions to problems in these areas do not usually involve a rejection of the sanctity of human life in the way that abortion does. Being "right" on taxes, education, health care, immigration, and the economy fails to make up for the error of disregarding the value of a human life. Consider this: the finest health and education systems, the fairest immigration laws, and the soundest economy do nothing for the child who never sees the light of day. It is a tragic irony that "pro-choice" candidates have come to support homicide- the gravest injustice a society can tolerate- in the name of "social justice".
Choosing the candidate who promises to bring about change for the better yet persists in opposing the right to life is like choosing to terminate a pregnancy because it would be inconvenient to let the child live. As long as we're placing our needs before the basic human rights of all persons, we're committing the sin that is abortion. Yes, it may be difficult, but there are so many resources available, and the sacrifice is not only worth it, it's just.
Every loving parent makes the necessary self-sacrifices to see that their child's needs are provided for. We as a nation can be the loving parents to these children. We can forego some of our wants in order that our children receive what they need.
That's love. That's a civilization of Love. That's a culture of Life.
9/26/2008
Preach It!
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2 comments:
What a great post!! I am faced with many of my Catholic friends and family who see the economy, etc. as a more important issue than life. They constantly tell me that they don't decide on a canidate by his stance on abortion and life. This saddens me. Thanks for sending this post to the Catholic Carnival. Have a blessed day!
Blessed be God forever!
JMJ
Kimberly
You make a good point here, but in the current US election situation, doesn't unjust war count as a sanctity of life issue as well?
Also: does voting for a candidate that is anti-abortion count as "pro-life" if the very same candidate is also pro-euthanasia, pro- embryonic stem cell research, and pro-death penalty (not to mention pro-war)?
I think that it's important for all Catholics to remember the Seamless Garment when they make their pro-life decisions.
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